Objective:To investigate factors influencing frequent episodes (≥ 4 episodes within 1 year) in children with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) in China.Methods:A national multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted. Patients under the age of 18 years diagnosed with moderate-to-severe AD were enrolled at dermatology clinics in 18 medical institutions across 12 provinces and municipalities in China between June 12 and August 8, 2023. At the time of the visit, their guardians completed a structured questionnaire covering demographic characteristics, clinical features of AD, personal and family history, factors associated with frequent episodes of moderate-to-severe AD, compliance with treatment, and disease awareness. Statistical analyses included t tests, one-way analysis of variance, rank-sum tests, and chi-square tests, with multiple-response analysis applied for multiple-choice questions. Results:A total of 965 valid questionnaires were collected, and 965 children with moderate-to-severe AD were included. Among them, there were 531 males and 434 females, 678 (70.3%) were aged 2 - < 12 years, 837 (86.7%) were from urban areas, the age at onset was 2.47 ± 3.03 years, and the median frequency of AD episodes in the past year was 4 times. These children were divided into 2 groups based on the median episode frequency: < 4-episode group (439 cases, 45.5%) and ≥ 4-episode group (526 cases, 54.5%). Compared with the < 4-episode group, children in the ≥ 4-episode group showed younger ages at onset (2.22 ± 2.98 years vs. 2.76 ± 3.06 years, P = 0.006) and higher proportions of patients with comorbid allergic diseases in both the children themselves (82.9% [436/526] vs. 69.7% [306/439], χ2 = 23.42, P < 0.001) and their relatives (66.0% [347/526] vs. 57.4% [252/439], χ2 = 7.46, P = 0.006). Children in the ≥ 4- episode group also had higher monthly usage of moisturizers (150 [30, 300] g vs. 60 [6, 200] g) and daily frequency of moisturizer use, greater disease awareness, but more severe fear of medication use (all P < 0.05). The region and the human development index level were both significantly associated with the episode frequency (both P < 0.001), with the highest proportion of children from South China in the ≥ 4- episode group (36.3%, 191/526). Children in the ≥ 4-episode group also had a longer duration of topical glucocorticoid use than those in the < 4-episode group ( Z = -2.21, P = 0.027). External triggers associated with AD episodes mainly included heat exposure (50.36%, 486/965), hot water bathing (40.73%, 393/965), seafood (23.52%, 227/965), and dust mites (33.37%, 322/965) . Conclusion:In children with moderate-to-severe AD in China, factors influencing frequent episodes may include residence in southern or economically developed regions, earlier age at onset, having a personal or family history of allergic diseases, and fear of medication use.

Objective:To investigate a surgical method and clinical effect on reconstruction of infective ulcer and soft tissue defects in dorsal fingers of the elderly patients with free perforator flap of peroneal artery.Methods:From March 2016 to June 2022, 13 elderly patients with infective ulcer and soft tissue defects in dorsal fingers were reconstructed with free perforator flaps of peroneal artery. The patients were 65-70 years with an average age of 66.5 years. Cause of infection: 10 ulceration and soft tissue defects were caused by diabetes and 3 by injury. Seven infective ulceration and soft tissue defects were in dorsal index fingers, 3 in dorsal middle fingers and 3 in dorsal ring fingers with the size of soft tissue defects at 2.0 cm×4.5 cm-2.0 cm×5.5 cm with an exposure of tendon and phalange. The donor site of the flaps was of contralateral calf and the flaps were 2.5 cm×5.0 cm-2.5 cm×6.0 cm in size. All donor sites were sutured directly. All patients were included in the postoperative follow-up at outpatient clinic to observe the appearance and sensation of the flap as well as finger movement.Results:All flaps survived and all wounds achieved stage I healing, without recurrence of infection. Twelve patients had the postoperative follow-up for 12 to 27 months, with an average of 21.6 months. There were satisfactory appearance of flaps and the function of fingers. Sensation of flaps recovered to S 2 in 5 patients and S 3 in 7 patients. The recovery of hand function was evaluated according to the Evaluation Trial Standards of Upper Limb Partial Functional of Hand Surgery of Chinese Medical Association, with 8 hands in excellent and 4 in good. Conclusion:The free perforator flap of peroneal artery has advantages of constant vascular anatomy, reliable blood supply, moderate thickness and direct closure of donor site. It is a useful clinical method in reconstruction of infective ulcer and soft tissue defects in dorsal fingers of the elderly patients.

Objective:To evaluate the predictive value of whole blood cell derived inflammatory marker (including systemic immunoinflammatory index (SII), systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI), neutrophil count/lymphocyte count (NLR), platelet count/lymphocyte count (PLR), and monocyte count/lymphocyte count (MLR)) and in combination with N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) on the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure.Methods:This study was a retrospective cohort study. Patients with chronic heart failure hospitalized in the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University from January 2019 to August 2022 were enrolled. Patients were followed up and were divided into survival group and death group according to the follow-up results. Clinical characteristics of the two groups were compared. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the optimal cut-off value of each whole blood cell derived inflammatory marker for predicting all-cause death in patients with chronic heart failure. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was drawn, and log-rank test was used to compare the difference in survival of chronic heart failure patients with different levels of whole blood cell derived inflammatory markers. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyze the effects of whole blood cell derived inflammatory markers and NT-proBNP on the all-cause death of patients with chronic heart failure. ROC curve was used to analyze the predictive value of whole blood cell derived inflammatory markers combined with NT-proBNP on the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure.Results:A total of 324 patients with heart failure aged (64.76±13.78) years were enrolled, with 212 males (65.43%). 297 patients (91.67%) completed follow-up, 27 patients (8.33%) were lost to follow-up. The follow-up time was 24.0 (18.0, 41.8) months. There were 258 patients in the survival group and 66 patients in the death group. The optimal cut-off values of SII, SIRI, NLR, PLR and MLR determined by ROC curve were 739.83, 1.65, 3.14, 151.95 and 0.37, respectively. Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed that patients with chronic heart failure with high levels of SII (≥739.83), SIRI (≥1.65), NLR (≥3.14), PLR (≥151.95) and MLR (≥0.37) had higher incidence of all-cause death than patients with low levels of inflammatory markers (all P<0.001). Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis showed that age ( HR=1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.06, P=0.002), NT-proBNP ( HR=2.93, 95% CI 1.64-5.23, P<0.001), SII≥739.83 ( HR=3.27, 95% CI 1.18-9.02, P=0.022) and PLR≥151.95 ( HR=2.67, 95% CI 1.02-6.96, P=0.045) were independent predictors of all-cause death in patients with chronic heart failure. ROC curve analysis showed that the predictive value of SII and PLR combined with NT-proBNP ( AUC=0.850) for the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure was better than that of SII ( AUC=0.779)、PLR ( AUC=0.782)、NT-proBNP ( AUC=0.727) and CRP ( AUC=0.668) alone (all P<0.001). Conclusions:Whole blood cell derived inflammatory markers——SII, PLR, and NT-pro BNP were independently associated with all-cause death in patients with chronic heart failure. SII and PLR can independently predict the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure, combination of SII and PLR with NT-pro BNP has better predictive value for the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure.

Objective:To investigate factors influencing frequent episodes (≥ 4 episodes within 1 year) in children with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) in China.Methods:A national multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted. Patients under the age of 18 years diagnosed with moderate-to-severe AD were enrolled at dermatology clinics in 18 medical institutions across 12 provinces and municipalities in China between June 12 and August 8, 2023. At the time of the visit, their guardians completed a structured questionnaire covering demographic characteristics, clinical features of AD, personal and family history, factors associated with frequent episodes of moderate-to-severe AD, compliance with treatment, and disease awareness. Statistical analyses included t tests, one-way analysis of variance, rank-sum tests, and chi-square tests, with multiple-response analysis applied for multiple-choice questions. Results:A total of 965 valid questionnaires were collected, and 965 children with moderate-to-severe AD were included. Among them, there were 531 males and 434 females, 678 (70.3%) were aged 2 - < 12 years, 837 (86.7%) were from urban areas, the age at onset was 2.47 ± 3.03 years, and the median frequency of AD episodes in the past year was 4 times. These children were divided into 2 groups based on the median episode frequency: < 4-episode group (439 cases, 45.5%) and ≥ 4-episode group (526 cases, 54.5%). Compared with the < 4-episode group, children in the ≥ 4-episode group showed younger ages at onset (2.22 ± 2.98 years vs. 2.76 ± 3.06 years, P = 0.006) and higher proportions of patients with comorbid allergic diseases in both the children themselves (82.9% [436/526] vs. 69.7% [306/439], χ2 = 23.42, P < 0.001) and their relatives (66.0% [347/526] vs. 57.4% [252/439], χ2 = 7.46, P = 0.006). Children in the ≥ 4- episode group also had higher monthly usage of moisturizers (150 [30, 300] g vs. 60 [6, 200] g) and daily frequency of moisturizer use, greater disease awareness, but more severe fear of medication use (all P < 0.05). The region and the human development index level were both significantly associated with the episode frequency (both P < 0.001), with the highest proportion of children from South China in the ≥ 4- episode group (36.3%, 191/526). Children in the ≥ 4-episode group also had a longer duration of topical glucocorticoid use than those in the < 4-episode group ( Z = -2.21, P = 0.027). External triggers associated with AD episodes mainly included heat exposure (50.36%, 486/965), hot water bathing (40.73%, 393/965), seafood (23.52%, 227/965), and dust mites (33.37%, 322/965) . Conclusion:In children with moderate-to-severe AD in China, factors influencing frequent episodes may include residence in southern or economically developed regions, earlier age at onset, having a personal or family history of allergic diseases, and fear of medication use.

Objective:To investigate a surgical method and clinical effect on reconstruction of infective ulcer and soft tissue defects in dorsal fingers of the elderly patients with free perforator flap of peroneal artery.Methods:From March 2016 to June 2022, 13 elderly patients with infective ulcer and soft tissue defects in dorsal fingers were reconstructed with free perforator flaps of peroneal artery. The patients were 65-70 years with an average age of 66.5 years. Cause of infection: 10 ulceration and soft tissue defects were caused by diabetes and 3 by injury. Seven infective ulceration and soft tissue defects were in dorsal index fingers, 3 in dorsal middle fingers and 3 in dorsal ring fingers with the size of soft tissue defects at 2.0 cm×4.5 cm-2.0 cm×5.5 cm with an exposure of tendon and phalange. The donor site of the flaps was of contralateral calf and the flaps were 2.5 cm×5.0 cm-2.5 cm×6.0 cm in size. All donor sites were sutured directly. All patients were included in the postoperative follow-up at outpatient clinic to observe the appearance and sensation of the flap as well as finger movement.Results:All flaps survived and all wounds achieved stage I healing, without recurrence of infection. Twelve patients had the postoperative follow-up for 12 to 27 months, with an average of 21.6 months. There were satisfactory appearance of flaps and the function of fingers. Sensation of flaps recovered to S 2 in 5 patients and S 3 in 7 patients. The recovery of hand function was evaluated according to the Evaluation Trial Standards of Upper Limb Partial Functional of Hand Surgery of Chinese Medical Association, with 8 hands in excellent and 4 in good. Conclusion:The free perforator flap of peroneal artery has advantages of constant vascular anatomy, reliable blood supply, moderate thickness and direct closure of donor site. It is a useful clinical method in reconstruction of infective ulcer and soft tissue defects in dorsal fingers of the elderly patients.

Objective:To evaluate the predictive value of whole blood cell derived inflammatory marker (including systemic immunoinflammatory index (SII), systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI), neutrophil count/lymphocyte count (NLR), platelet count/lymphocyte count (PLR), and monocyte count/lymphocyte count (MLR)) and in combination with N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) on the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure.Methods:This study was a retrospective cohort study. Patients with chronic heart failure hospitalized in the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University from January 2019 to August 2022 were enrolled. Patients were followed up and were divided into survival group and death group according to the follow-up results. Clinical characteristics of the two groups were compared. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the optimal cut-off value of each whole blood cell derived inflammatory marker for predicting all-cause death in patients with chronic heart failure. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was drawn, and log-rank test was used to compare the difference in survival of chronic heart failure patients with different levels of whole blood cell derived inflammatory markers. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyze the effects of whole blood cell derived inflammatory markers and NT-proBNP on the all-cause death of patients with chronic heart failure. ROC curve was used to analyze the predictive value of whole blood cell derived inflammatory markers combined with NT-proBNP on the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure.Results:A total of 324 patients with heart failure aged (64.76±13.78) years were enrolled, with 212 males (65.43%). 297 patients (91.67%) completed follow-up, 27 patients (8.33%) were lost to follow-up. The follow-up time was 24.0 (18.0, 41.8) months. There were 258 patients in the survival group and 66 patients in the death group. The optimal cut-off values of SII, SIRI, NLR, PLR and MLR determined by ROC curve were 739.83, 1.65, 3.14, 151.95 and 0.37, respectively. Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed that patients with chronic heart failure with high levels of SII (≥739.83), SIRI (≥1.65), NLR (≥3.14), PLR (≥151.95) and MLR (≥0.37) had higher incidence of all-cause death than patients with low levels of inflammatory markers (all P<0.001). Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis showed that age ( HR=1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.06, P=0.002), NT-proBNP ( HR=2.93, 95% CI 1.64-5.23, P<0.001), SII≥739.83 ( HR=3.27, 95% CI 1.18-9.02, P=0.022) and PLR≥151.95 ( HR=2.67, 95% CI 1.02-6.96, P=0.045) were independent predictors of all-cause death in patients with chronic heart failure. ROC curve analysis showed that the predictive value of SII and PLR combined with NT-proBNP ( AUC=0.850) for the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure was better than that of SII ( AUC=0.779)、PLR ( AUC=0.782)、NT-proBNP ( AUC=0.727) and CRP ( AUC=0.668) alone (all P<0.001). Conclusions:Whole blood cell derived inflammatory markers——SII, PLR, and NT-pro BNP were independently associated with all-cause death in patients with chronic heart failure. SII and PLR can independently predict the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure, combination of SII and PLR with NT-pro BNP has better predictive value for the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of dorsal perforator flap of cross-finger proper digital artery in the treatment of finger soft tissue defect caused by high-pressure injection injury. METHODS: Between July 2011 and June 2020, 14 cases of finger soft tissue defect caused by high-pressure injection injury were repaired with dorsal perforator flap of cross-finger proper digital artery. All patients were male, with a mean age of 36 years (range, 22-56 years). The defects were located on the index finger in 8 cases, middle finger in 4 cases, and ring finger in 2 cases. The causes of injury include 8 cases of emulsion paint injection, 4 cases of oil paint injection, and 2 cases of cement injection. The time from injury to debridement was 2-8 hours, with a mean time of 4.5 hours. The soft tissue defects sized from 4.0 cm×1.2 cm to 6.0 cm×2.0 cm. The flaps sized from 4.5 cm×1.5 cm to 6.5 cm×2.5 cm. The donor site of the flap was repaired with skin graft. The pedicle was cut off at 3 weeks after operation, and followed by functional exercise. RESULTS: All flaps and skin grafts at donor sites survived, and the wounds healed by first intention. Twelve patients were followed-up 16-38 months (mean, 22.6 months). The texture and appearance of all flaps were satisfactory. The color and texture of the flaps were similar to those of the surrounding tissues. The two-point discrimination of the flap was 10-12 mm, with a mean of 11.5 mm. There were different degrees of cold intolerance at the end of the affected fingers. At last follow-up, the finger function was evaluated according to the Upper Extremity Functional Evaluation Standard set up by Hand Surgery Branch of Chinese Medical Association, 3 cases were excellent, 8 cases were good, and 1 case was poor. CONCLUSION The dorsal perforator flap of cross-finger proper digital artery can effectively repair finger soft tissue defect caused by high-pressure injection injury. The operation was simple, and the appearance and function of the finger recover well.
Humans ; Male ; Adult ; Female ; Perforator Flap ; Upper Extremity ; Fingers/surgery* ; Ulnar Artery ; Skin Transplantation

Mast cells, autoantibodies, inflammatory cells, coagulation cascade, complement system and nervous system are all involved in the complex pathogenesis of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) , while mast cells play a pivotal role in it. With deeper understanding of the pathogenesis of CSU, cutting-edge therapeutic methods are gradually being used in clinical practice. Nowadays, pharmacotherapyeutic studies are more focused on accurately modulating the pathological state of mast cells. This review summarizes recent advances in the pathogenesis of and medicines for CSU.